Chapter 14 - 14 Chapter 13: Disaster_1 (1/2)
14 Chapter 13: Disaster_1
Translator: 549690339
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Eating regular food could only stave off hunger, but eating meat was the way to quickly increase one’s cultivation level.
He had found that the nutritional value of wild beasts’ meat was far superior to that of pork.
Especially wolf meat, though a bit tough to the taste, had an extraordinarily appealing beneficial effect.
After finishing his meal and resting briefly, he again took up his knife and rope and entered the mountains.
The three large Korean pine trees he had cut in the mountains had not yet been hauled back.
Every day he needed to start a fire for cooking, which meant a steady consumption of firewood.
Moreover, he had to consider the amount needed for rainy days and the long winter, so it was imperative to take advantage of the current season and stockpile more.
Upon reaching the mountains, he checked on the condition of the Ant Nest.
Fourth led three Worker Ants in digging out a new side chamber, apparently in preparation for food storage. The four Worker Ants were continually expanding the side chamber to store more food.
“Success depends on forethought; without it, one will fail.”
With an ample food supply, they would have no worries, whether in the lengthy winter or during the harsh rainy days.
Qin Niu watched for a while, then went about his own business.
He made multiple trips transporting firewood home, deliberately staying busy until dark before descending the mountain, hoping to encounter a wild beast that would attack him.
Unfortunately, he never encountered such ‘good luck’.
The sounds of wolves howling and beasts roaring constantly came from the depths of the mountains, but none appeared to seek him out for a fight.
“Alas! How interesting life is. When you’re powerless, you fear meeting formidable beasts, but now that I have some strength, I yearn for such an encounter, and yet it eludes me.”
Qin Niu lacked the Hunter’s hunting skills and couldn’t track down wild beasts.
All he could do was ‘fish for the law’.
Using himself as bait and waiting for some fierce beast to take an interest in him, then his opportunity would arrive.
The next day, he entered the mountains early in the morning.
This was because his previous encounter with the old wolf occurred just after dawn.
As usual, he went to check the Ant Nest.
Inside the egg-laying chamber, the number of ant eggs had increased from ten yesterday to twenty today.
The Ant Queen had laid another ten ant eggs the previous night.
Its reproductive capacity was truly formidable.
Only Queens of Ants and Bees are capable of such prolific daily egg-laying.
But the Bee Queen’s daily output is far less than that of the Ant Queen.
In terms of reproductive ability, the Ant Queen is undoubtedly the most frenetic of all creatures.
At this rate, by next month, the ant colony will likely undergo explosive growth.
From laying to hatching and morphing into adult insects, the cycle only takes about twenty days.
Theoretically, in just about twenty more days, the number of Worker Ants in this colony will rise from four to fourteen, and then increase by ten every day.
By then, the growth of this ant colony will be unstoppable.
Qin Niu had been studying Insect Master knowledge recently and was considering strengthening this termite colony.
The most important thing was to upgrade the Ant Queen.
If the Ant Queen grew stronger, so would its offspring.
…
Life passed day by day, uneventful yet fulfilling.
He never encountered another wild beast.
It was unclear whether it was because his own strength had increased and the wild beasts could sense the danger and dared not approach, or simply because he was unlucky.
He thought that maybe venturing deeper into the mountains might result in encounters with fierce beasts.
With his current strength, he could barely handle one or two wolves.
If he were to come across a tiger or leopard, he figured he wouldn’t even have a chance to run for his life.
Being always cautious, he certainly wouldn’t take such a risk.
The number of eggs laid by the Ant Queen remained consistent at ten per day, neither more nor less. By the eighth day, it had laid a total of eighty ant eggs.
Possibly taking into account that there were only four Worker Ants and the limited amount of food they could bring back, the Ant Queen stopped laying eggs after producing eighty.
Qin Niu had been learning Insect Master knowledge every day, working hard to become a Preparatory Bug Master.
No one in the village knew he was raising a termite colony.
Being someone who preferred to keep a low profile, he certainly wouldn’t reveal his hand to outsiders.
After more than ten days, the first batch of ant eggs successfully hatched, and after several molts, they evolved into mature insects.
They appeared larger than the first batch of Worker Ants and their bodies seemed stronger.
Fourth and the other three Worker Ants had been extremely busy during this period.